Valentine’s Day in Temple & Belton: 5 Easy, Affordable Date Ideas (No Reservations Required)

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean crowded restaurants, overpriced menus, or weeks of planning. If you’re in Temple or Belton, there are plenty of romantic, low-stress ways to celebrate, without reservations and without blowing your budget. Here are five Valentine’s Day date ideas that are simple, meaningful, and easy on the wallet, plus local recommendations to make each one special.

🌅 1. Sunset Picnic at Belton Lake With Takeout

The idea:
Pick up dinner to-go and head to Belton Lake for a sunset picnic. It’s quiet, romantic, and completely stress-free.

Easy To-Go Dinner Picks:

• La Roma Pizza

• B-Town Burgers

• Thai Cafe (West Adams or Downtown Temple)

Best sunset spot:
Arrowhead Point: bring a blanket, enjoy dinner, and take a walk on the trail after sunset.

🍕 2. Early Drinks + Treno’s Pizza To-Go

The idea:
Start Valentine’s Day early with drinks at a bar you’ve always wanted to try, then grab pizza to-go and head home before the crowds hit.

Bars Near Treno’s:

• Neighbors on 7th

• The Parlor Lounge

• J Cowboy

• Cantina 1948

• Cheeves Bar (hit or miss on availability)

Pro tip:
Order Treno’s Pizza online ahead of time so you can grab it quickly and skip the Valentine’s rush.

🥩 3. Cook at Home With Local Flavor (Steaks + Dessert)

The idea:
Skip restaurants entirely and cook a great meal at home using local ingredients. It’s more personal—and often better—than dining out.

Local places for steaks:

• Cospers Meat Market

• L&R Meats

• Green’s Sausage House

Pair it with a great bottle of wine from HEB.

Dessert stops:

• Morgan Pearl

• Lynn Marie’s

• Little Bohemian

🥖 4. Hike + Picnic + Charcuterie

The idea:
Spend the day outdoors with a scenic hike followed by a relaxed picnic. Add charcuterie or sandwiches to keep it easy but elevated.

Best hiking & picnic spots:

• Miller Springs Nature Center

• Dana Peak Park

• Chalk Ridge Falls

Picnic To-Go Options:

• Morgan Pearl Charcuterie

• Graze Craze

🏕️ 5. Camping & Hiking Weekend Close to Home

The idea:
Turn Valentine’s Day into a weekend getaway with camping and hiking—no long drive required.

Nearby camping options:

• Mother Neff State Park

• Cedar Ridge Preserve

• Westcliff Park

Dinner ideas:

• Grab dinner to-go from B-Town Burgers or Crow’s

• Or pick up something to grill from Cospers Meat Market or Green’s Sausage House

💕 Final Thought

You don’t need fancy reservations to have a meaningful Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a sunset at Belton Lake, pizza downtown Temple, or a hike with a picnic, the best dates are often the simplest—and the most local.